Mission Statement
The Lacy Knitters Guild is dedicated to researching the history of knitted lace patterns, interpreting, preserving, and publishing the patterns as well as creating an archival knitted lace pattern bank. Ongoing activities include providing education through workshops, lectures, demonstrations and local guild meetings.
History of the Guild
The Lacy Knitters Guild Mary Schiffmann Chapter (the parent chapter) was co-founded by Gracie Larsen, Pat Shannon and Mary Schiffmann in 1992. Gracie and Pat had seen a wonderful display of knitted lace at a lace conference in the Pacific Northwest where the idea for the Lacy Knitters Guild was born. Upon their return home, they contacted Mary Schiffmann and started the Lacy Knitters Guild with a group of six members. The first meeting took place at Gracie's house, and the first newsletter was published in Autumn 1992.
At the time, lacy knitting patterns were difficult to find, but Mary Schiffmann had been collecting for quite some time and shared with the Guild. Word spread about the Guild, and Gracie was contacted by lace knitters around the world who were interested in more information about their craft.
Today, there are almost 200 members worldwide, and the Guild's pattern collection has grown due to generous donations from Guild Members. The Guild still meets once a month in Gracie's home, and a newsletter is sent out four times per year. Gracie maintains communications with members, generally through writing or telephone. We hope that the addition of a website will enable more lacy knitters to communicate with each other directly as well.